I always had faith and believe in GOD/Allah swt. I was born in a Sunni Muslim family but wasn't religious growing up because I didn't understand and
or had much knowledge about Islam but was thought basic that made me believe in Allah. Islam become central focus in my life as I entered Junior year
in University.

Im not going to dwell on the semantics, because that would skirt the core conversation, in my opinion.

There are a lot of aspects about my religion that I adore.

The first is that it re-injects a sense of wonder and magic into things. I operate on the premise that things like synchronicity, or even the 11:11
stuff, point to our limitations rather than being some sort of specific, special signal. Meaning, instead of being something that rises above an
otherwise mundane experience, they are glimpses into the concept that every moment and every event is synchronized. The goal in that isn't to embrace
the small "pings" as particularly significant, but use them as a stepping stone into perceiving everything with that same significance.

In that same vein, magic (or magick) is present at all times. Just because we can move a glass of water with our hand as "normal," rather than
something like telekinesis, doesn't make it boring, mundane, or any less special. Being able to manipulate our environment is only taken for granted
because we are so adept at it. Our minds like to remove meaning from such things, whereas my beliefs take it in the opposite direction.

My system also always gives something to strive towards, even if it is solely perceptual. Rather than finding the first outlook that works well
enough, and then becoming further and further embedded until death, reconstruction of the very foundation of perception is a core tenet. This is not
limited to a shallow shift, like simply changing beliefs as new information is introduced, but the framework that contains belief itself.

One of the things I appreciate most is that instead of coming into conflict with other belief systems or religions, it provides insight and can even
use others beliefs as a springboard to understand my religion more deeply, without ever having to convert or "buy into" others viewpoint. As I
have learned, this can even cross the barrier of species, though obviously some disparities are simply insurmountable.

There is quite a bit more, but I think those are some of the highlights on why I hold my beliefs in such esteem. Some of the rituals, etc. aren't
particularly suited to ATS discussion either.

So your saying that religion is a physical institution, the buildings, books, and people. Whereas faith is your personal conviction to what you
believe.

did I get that right?

I never really thought of faith as a separate element outside of religion.

So I just glanced through gnostic. This Is very interesting, I have never heard of this before.

I'll have to read some more

You could start with 2 Timothy 4:3,4 and try not to be so drawn to teachings
that tickle your ears (you can also have a look at my signature and the text under my accountname). Note that "belief" is also used as a synonym for
"faith" in thesauri (dictionaries that list synonyms) and general speech.

Religion

Definition: A form of worship. It includes a system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; these may be
personal, or they may be advocated by an organization. Usually religion involves belief in God or in a number of gods; or it treats humans,
objects, desires, or forces as objects of worship. Much religion is based on human study of nature; there is also revealed religion. There is true
religion and false.

Why are there so many religions?

A recent tabulation concluded that there are 10 main religions and some 10,000 sects. Of these, some 6,000 exist in Africa, 1,200 in the United
States, and hundreds in other lands.

Many factors have contributed to the development of new religious groups. Some have said that the various religions all represent different ways of
presenting religious truth. But a comparison of their teachings and practices with the Bible indicates, rather, that the diversity of religions is
because people have become followers of men instead of listening to God. It is noteworthy that, to a large extent, teachings they hold in common, but
that differ from the Bible, originated in ancient Babylon. (See pages 50, 51, under the heading
“Babylon the Great.”)

Who is the instigator of such religious confusion? The Bible identifies Satan the Devil as “the god of this system of things.” (2 Cor. 4:4) It
warns us that “the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God.” (1 Cor. 10:20) How vitally important, then, to
make sure that we really are worshiping the true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and that our worship is pleasing to him!

...Test your defenses against satanic propaganda. Ask yourself: ‘What governed my thinking the last time I faced such a situation? Was it the
world’s spirit or God’s
spirit?’—Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 2:2, 3.

Coming back to 2 Timothy 4:3,4 and the concept of having your ears tickled for a moment, many people on ATS demonstrate Ferengi-like behaviour in this
regards in their commentary and what threads or teachings they gravitate towards or are intrigued by:

For someone who is aware of what 2 Timothy 4:3,4 is talking about, it's very much 'in your face' when going through some of the commentary. Some
people also demonstrate quite a love for having their ears tickled here on ATS and elsewhere (one of those signs of the world's spirit having its
effect on people).

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